HUNTER SMITH WINS SILVER AT THE 2023 SANTIAGO PAN AMERICAN GAMES
Hunter Smith on the Men’s Wakeboard Podium at the 2023 Santiago Pan American Games
Photo by Express Media / Panam Sports
Canada’s own Hunter Smith shone brightly on the Pan Am stage, winning the silver medal in Men’s Wakeboard at the 2023 Santiago Pan American Games. Despite the high-pressure stakes, Smith, who was third to take to the water in the finals, delivered a stellar performance that left the audience and judges in awe.
With his run complete and four competitors yet to perform, the anticipation was palpable. Every trick from the remaining riders meant an agonizing wait for Smith. Ultimately, his top-tier performance secured him a spot on the podium, a testament to his relentless commitment to the sport.
Overwhelmed with emotion after the event, Smith reflected, “A lot of hard hours, a lot of work, a lot of dedication. I’ve been working really hard to get to the Games and to succeed in finals is just an unbelievable moment. I couldn’t be happier.”
Smith’s success doesn’t just belong to him; it’s a beacon of inspiration for the entire wakeboard community in Canada. To his fellow enthusiasts and future athletes, Smith shared a heartfelt message, “Let’s just keep our sport going and keep it strong. It may be cold for 8 months out of the year but we can still get on the lake in the summer and push ourselves to be better.”
Training in Canada, where the climate doesn’t always cooperate, has its challenges. Smith has had to travel extensively to find the right training partners and conditions. “It’s really hard to find people to wakeboard with. I’ve made a lot of great friends in Florida and California to go train with. They let me stay at their houses, they let me ride their boats, and they let me train as much as I can. To those people in the States, I really appreciate you guys.”
Water Ski and Wakeboard Canada is immensely proud of Smith’s achievements and celebrates the dedication and passion he represents. This silver medal is not just a win for Smith but a testament to the determination of athletes and the incredible potential of wakeboarding in Canada.
About Water Ski and Wakeboard Canada:
Water Ski and Wakeboard Canada (WSWC) is the national governing body for water skiing and wakeboarding in Canada. Dedicated to promoting these sports at every level, WSWC provides resources for athletes, coaches, and enthusiasts, fostering excellence and sportsmanship within a vibrant community passionate about the water.
WSWC CELEBRATE’S NEILLY ROSS’ DUAL SILVER MEDALS AT THE 2023 SANTIAGO PAN AM GAMES
Neilly Ross of Canada competes in the Women’s Water Ski Slalom Finals during the Santiago 2023 Pan American Games on Monday, October 23, 2023.
Photo by Leah Hennel / COC
Neilly Ross continued to make her mark at the 2023 Santiago Pan American Games today, clinching not one, but two silver medals to add to Canada’s proud tally.
Opening her account for the day, Ross competed in the Women’s Slalom event, with a remarkable score of 3@10.75m/39off, securing her first silver. She was joined on the podium with fellow Canadian Team Member Paige Rini who won bronze. Ross then went on to compete in the Women’s Tricks Finals. Her tactical yet ambitious execution earned her a score of 10,870 points, culminating in her second silver for the day.
Reflecting on her performance, Ross shared, “My goal was to come here and try to get on the podium twice, I did that so I’m walking away accomplishing my goal. I wanted to go for the gold in tricks, I had a run that could do it. I was a little bit slow but I’m still very proud to be representing Canada with the silver medal.”
Ross delved into the intricacies of the tricks event, adding, “It’s tough because in tricks it’s so much strategy based off of what other people do. I went with a very high scoring run and it’s pretty risky because if one trick is out of time, you lose a lot of points. We went for it, I still got a really high score, it could have been a little bit higher but we went for it.”
The camaraderie between Ross and fellow skier Paige Rini was palpable as they championed the Canadian spirit. Speaking about their shared journey and the future, Ross mentioned, “Paige and I have talked about it, we’ve known each other literally since before we were born. We’ve talked about our lives and how long we’ll be skiing for. She’s one of my best friends and we want to keep doing it for as long as we can. Definitely, there’s a new generation coming into the sport.”
Water Ski and Wakeboard Canada is immensely proud of Ross’s accomplishments and commends her unwavering dedication to the sport. We look forward to more inspiring performances from her and the entire Canadian.
About Water Ski and Wakeboard Canada:
Water Ski and Wakeboard Canada (WSWC) is the national governing body for water skiing and wakeboarding in Canada. Dedicated to promoting these sports at every level, WSWC provides resources for athletes, coaches, and enthusiasts, fostering excellence and sportsmanship within a vibrant community passionate about the water.
